Winter health - webchat with Dr Rosemary Leonard (Mon 17 Nov)

I know aches and pains are a sure sign of getting older, but how about when everything hurts all the time and I need to take painkillers ?
Is that normal or a sign of something else? Usually by the end of the day it's not so bad, but is that the painkillers working? I hate to grouch, but maybe some gransnetters can suggest what I can do about it. I'm out and about most days and work 2 days a week. I'm 73.

As the dark evenings lengthen and the weather gets worse, I take up my sewing. And develop a stiff neck and an aching shoulder. Any advice?

Is there anything to be done that will prevent my grandsons (aged 4.5 and 20 months) from developing pneumonia? Both have been hospitalised with this during past winters (the older boy seems particularly prone to it) and their mother is dreading the coming cold months.

If I can find a natural remedy as opposed to a chemical one I will use the natural. I am not a pharmacist but I believe there are some medications which derive or have a content of natural plants. Digoxin comes to mind.

I take a battery of daily meds and thank goodness they are available.

Actually, re the homeopathy thing: I go to a reputable, classically trained homeopath once a year or so. I pay him £60 and for that I have an hour of his undivided attention whilst we talk about every little thing that bothers me. By the time I leave, I feel totally unburdened and all my troubles physical and mental have just melted away. I hardly need the remedy he has dispensed (or not, depending on how things are with me). So ... what's not to like!

I consider it a good way of supporting my overall health and wellbeing and I don't see how anyone could not think so too especially as it seems to me that the medical profession needs all the help they can get nowadays keeping the population in good shape.

I very rarely go to my GP, I'm one of those 'once in a blue moon' types. Long may it last!

I have a question about cold weather exercise. I am a reformed smoker but have to accept that my lung capacity will never be what it should. However, I do all I can, including singing in a choir and brisk walking outside. Is it possible, though, that when the weather is really cold, exercising out of doors could do more harm than good?

Many people experience SAD during the winter months and, of course, antidepressants are often prescribed for this. I have recently heard that all antidepressants are cardio-toxic to some degree. I find this very scary as I have been taking fluoxetine for several years now. Should I stop please?

Thank you.

Agus be very careful mentioning homoeopathy to Dr Rosemary, (Homoeopathy can be very successful in treating sinus problems, go and see a qualified registered homoeopath) she is very traditional.......doesnt even believe that diet has any effect on childhood eczema. When she came out with that statement I stopped listening to what she had to say. Sorry, find her very smug and patronising.

agus thanks for that advice. My husband also suffers with sinus problems.

(We better stop talking homeopathic or naturopathic remedies on the medical thread )

A question if I may.
I cough each year from October to May. It's a dry cough from a tickle in my throat, lungs clear. I have had several asthma tests all negative. Told it's likely an allergy and prescribed anti histamines. Any other suggestions for those that get winter coughs.

Kali Bich, a homeopathic remedy is extremely effective for sinus problems. During a very painful bout of sinusitis I took this as a last resort and it cleared all symptoms.

Another question if I may? My ears frequently become blocked and like Culag I often have bunged up sinuses and what I assume is a post nasal drip. Up until this year I have had the ears syringed every 6 months or so - a horrible process 1- but asked to be referred to the ENT dept. where they have a wonderful 'hoover' which does the trick in seconds. Apart from steaming and applying prescribed ear and nose drops, is there anything else which can be done? When I go 'deaf' I go into complete panic mode until I can get them scooshed

Culag [sorry to butt in by the way]; my daughter suffers from blocked sinuses and I've suggested to her that she comes to the gym with me sometimes and uses the sauna [where some people use Olbas Oil] and the steam room [ideally the latter]. I find that the heat and the moisture really clear my nasal passages and I feel sure it would help people who have sinus problems. Also I'm sure the heat helps my joints, which really start to play up at this time of year.

I rarely get colds but I do have frequent bouts of blocked sinuses. I can breathe alright but have pressure in my face and behind my eyes and a headache. Often with shooting pains behind my right eye. It usually lasts two or three days and then drains away. I don't think it gets infected, just blocked.

Can you suggest anything please. I usually take paracetamol but can't take NSAIDs.

DH gets chilblains - he had never had a problem until his statins were doubled.

My sister has rosacea on her face and finds it gets worse when she is very cold (or very warm). She gets very embarrassed by her red face and the comments and questions she is subjected to.

How can she treat this? Her GP just told her to cover it with thick make-up which she is not happy to do.

I found that Vicks First Defence worked but the last time I used it an excruciating pain shot up into my head so I've been afraid to use it since.

Marmight about 25 years ago there was someone prescribed zinc as treatment for something. One day she had a cold and her zinc tablet was not swallowed but stayed in her mouth. Her cold cleared up faster than usual.. That's the tale I heard anyway. I take zinc daily and when I have a cold suck zinc, it tastes horrid, more in hope than anything else.

Have those who have had the flu jab this year found to have more side effects. Both OH and myself been unwell with flu like symptoms shortly after the jab. The flu NHS web site also seems to have comments.

jings 're getting chilled bringing resistance down - I believe the opposite: a bracing plunge into cold water is good for the system and builds resistance. So which is true please, doctor?

Didn't work for me or DH Ana.

I wonder whether one gets better from a cold more quickly by sitting down and resting or continuing as before. [Please say that it is better to sit down and watch rubbish daytime TV!]

I swear by Vicks First Defence - it really does seem to work!

Lovely photos Jings!
Rosemary, it's good to hear that you are 'still a practicing doctor' - that is reassuring!
I bought a bottle of zinc tablets today as I heard that if you take them within a day of developing cold symptoms, the duration of the cold/cough should be shortened or at least alleviates the symptoms. Is this true? If so, why? I hope it is not just a case of the pharmaceutical companies jumping on the bandwagon and making a quick buck? Not got symptoms - yet. No doubt it will sit on the shelf with the unopened B12, echinacea, rose hip and multi-vitamin capsules. Better to 'Be Prepared' than caught on the hop!

Blimey - fancies herself a bit, doesn't she?

Do click on that link several times.

lovely pictures on the doctor's website

How charming.